Greenford: Man arrested on suspicion of murder after elderly man on mobility scooter knifed to death

Police investigating the fatal stabbing of 87-year-old Thomas O’Halloran in Greenford have made an arrest.

Mr O’Halloran was found with stab wounds in Cayton Road, Greenford, near the A40 in west London, at 4.06pm on Tuesday.

Officers believe Mr O’Halloran was stabbed in Western Avenue shortly before 4.06pm before managing to travel 75 yards on his mobility scooter to Runnymede Gardens, where he flagged down a member of the public for help.

From there, officers responded and gave emergency first aid until the arrival of the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.Mr O’Halloran regularly busked around Greenford playing his accordion and collecting money to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian invasion. 

A 44-year-old man was arrested at a property in Southall in the early hours of Thursday on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood, leading the investigation said: “I would like to thank the public for their overwhelming support following this horrific incident. As a result of the release of a CCTV image yesterday, an arrest has been made and this investigation is progressing at pace.

“Mr O’Halloran’s family have been updated with this development and continue to be supported by specially trained officers. I would reiterate their previous request that their privacy is respected by everyone as they continue to come to terms with their tragic loss.”